Laundry machine and filter therefor



y 1961 F. L. O'BRIEN 2,984,359

LAUNDRY MACHINE AND FILTER THEREFOR Filed Oct. 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 14 Lisa #2 10 V FF'anc/s L O 'B y 16, 1961 F. L. QBRIEN V 1 2,984,359

LAUNDRY MACHINE AND FILTER THEREFOR Filed Oct. 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lei-afar FFanc/s A. O Brien United States PatentO fice LAUNDRY MACHINE AN D FILTER THEREFOR Francis L. OBrien, Sandusky, Ohio, assignor to Whirlpool Corporation, St. Joseph, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 25, 1957, Ser. No. 692,318

10 Claims. (Cl. 21094) This invention relates generally to filtering apparatus and more particularly relates to a filtering apparatus incorporated in a laundry machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a filter structure that is manufactured from a reduced number of simplified parts, thereby providing an economical construction which is reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filter apparatus which will entrap and collect lint and other foreign matter from washing and rinsing fluids used in laundry apparatus and laundry methods.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a filtering apparatus which is quickly and easily cleaned, particularly when embodied in a domestic laundry appliance wherein an operator may conveniently clean the filter following a washing cycle of operations.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which preferred structural embodiments of a laundering machine incorporating the filtering apparatus of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a laundry machine incorporating a filtering apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the filter shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the diverter bracket incorporated in the filter structure of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of a laundry machine incorporating a modified filter arrangement according to the principles of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the modified filter structure of Figure 4.

As shown on the drawings:

Although the principles of the present invention are of general utility, a particularly useful application of the principles of the present invention is made to a filter for a domestic laundry appliance wherein the filter is intended to be cleaned by the operator following repeated usage and after completion of a washing cycle of operations.

There is shown in Figure 1, a laundry appliance such as a washing machine having an outer casing 11 enclosing a tub 12 which forms a treatment zone in which a pool of laundry liquid is collected such as a washing solution or a rinsing solution. A motor-driven agitator 13 is used to agitate the pool and the clothes contained therein for purposes of removing the dirt from the clothes and entraining the dirt and foreign matter in the washing or rinsing fluids. The usual presettable control means are shown generally on a control panel 14 whereby the machine may be operated through a series of washing, rinsing and extracting periods.

7 In accordance with the principles of the present inven- Patented May 16, 1961 tion, the machine incorporates conduit means for establishing a closed liquid circuit in which is included a filtering means indicated generally at 16, thereby to continuously filter either the washing or rinsing fluid in the corresponding period of the laundry cycle. Thus, the laundry liquid is withdrawn from the bottom of the pool, as is indicated diagrammatically at 17, and flows through an inlet 18 of a pump indicated diagrammatically at 19. The laundry liquid is discharged from the pump outlet as at 20 through a laundry conduit which conveniently takes the form of a rubber hose 21. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and'2, the rubber hose 21 is provided with a gooseneck 22 which facilitates support of the rubber hose 21 on the side of the machine and further facilitates directing a stream of the recirculated fluid to the pool of laundry liquid in the tub 12.

As will be noted upon referring to Figure l in connection with Figure 2, the gooseneck 22 has connected on the end thereof the filter apparatus 16 of the present invention which conveniently takes the form of a generally cylindrical sleeve 23 forming a filter body or, forming a flow passage 24 having an inlet end 26 and an outlet end 27.

In the inlet end 26, there is mounted a diverter bracket, the features of construction of which are clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. The bracket is indicated generally at 28 and comprises a central hub portion 29 with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly extending spokes or arms indicated at 30', 31 and 32. At the radially outermost extremities of the arms 30, 31 and 32, there is provided an annular peripheral rim 33 having a cylindrical surface 34 engaging against an adjoining interior wall surface provided by the inlet end 26 of the sleeve 23.

The central hub portion 29 is particularly characterized by a dome-shaped axial projection 36 which is centrally disposed and which flares outwardly in symmetry with the central axis of the flow passage 24, thereby to divert and diffuse fluid entering the inlet end 26 of the sleeve 23. The spokes or arms 30, 31 and 32, of course, also develop a diffusion or diverter function in helping to break up the fluid flowing through the passage 24. The outer diameter of the surface 34 is preferably the same as the inner diameter of the inlet end 26 of the sleeve 23 so the diverter bracket 28 will be snugly surrounded by the sleeve 23.

The hub portion 29 is further characterized by an axially extending recess 37 in which is received the center rod or stem of a filter brush indicated generally at 38. The center rod or stem is shown at 39 and conveniently comprises twisted wire or helically wound rod to which is secured a plurality of bristles 40 extending radially outwardly from the stem 39 and terminating immediately adjacent the interior surface of the sleeve 23 to substantially fill the passage 24 downstream of the diverter bracket 29. Thus, the stem 39 is secured as at 41 to the hub 29 and extends axially into the passage 24 towards the outlet end 27 of the sleeve 23. The bristles form a filter mass in the passage 24 and all fluid flowing through the passage 24 from the inlet end 26 towards the outlet end 27 will be filtered through the bristles 40.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 2, the outlet end 27 of the sleeve 23 convergingly tapers as at 42, thereby to provide an outlet opening 43 of reduced diameter and disposed substantially on the flow ax1s.

It is contemplated that the filter body or sleeve 23 ca be conventiently fabricated from a plastic material, translucent if desired, to permit the operator to observe the operation and condition of the filter.

"3 ea There is further provided at the inlet end 26 of the filter apparatus, an end cap 46. The end cap 46 has an axially extending wall 47 which forms a ring having a bore 48 formed therein of the same diameter as the diameter of the surface 34, thereby to fixedly'secure the diverter bracket 28 in the end cap 46. The end cap 46 isfurther counterbored as at 49, thereby to form a recess for receiving and seating the inlet end 26 of the sleeve 23. The inlet end 26 is positionedand assembled with the end cap 46 either by press-fitting, as illustrated in Figure 2, or by providing other-fastening means such as thread means. i

The end cap 46 is further characterized by a domeshaped convergent portion 50 which extends axially from the ring portion 47 and which terminates in a nipple or collar portion 51 of reduced diameter forming an inlet opening 52 disposed on the axis of the flow passage 24 and in register with the projection 36 on the hub portion 29. The elbow member or gooseneck 22, or any other laundry conduit, is conveniently attached to the filter apparatus 16 by connecting the same at the inlet opening 52 formed in the reduced diameter nipple portion 51.

'In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 2, and in Figure l, the filter apparatus 16 conveniently constitutes the terminal end of the recirculating conduit since the filter apparatus 16 is suspended in the tub 12, thereby to discharge laundry fluid directly back into the pool of laundry liquid collected within the .tub 12.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a modified form of filter apparatus 16a is illustrated wherein the filter apparatus 16a is incorporated in the liquid circuit intermediate the ends of a conduit. Thus, in Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a sleeve 23a having an inlet end 26a which is identical with the outlet end 27a, thereby to provide a cylindrical flow passage 24a. The filter brush indicated generally at 380 is of identical construction to that already described in connection with the structure of Figure 2 and, accordingly, like reference numerals have been applied with appropriate letter suffixes.

The inlet cap member of Figures 4 and 5 is indicated at 46a and differs from the inlet cap member 46 already described in the provision of thread means 56 on the nipple portion 51a, thereby to facilitate connection of the cap member 46!: with a conduit means indicated generally at 57. At the outlet end of the sleeve 23a, there is provided an outlet cap member 58 having a'ring portion 59 provided with a bore 60 and a counterbore 61, the outlet end 27a of the sleeve 23a being seated and received in the counterbore 61. The dome-shaped convergent portion of the cap member 58 is shown at 62 and a reduced diameter nipple portion is indicated at 63 threaded as at 64 to facilitate coupling connection to a conduit means 66.

Thus, as shown in Figure 4, a laundry machine a having a tub 12a for collecting a pool of laundry liquid therein, has conduit means forming a liquid circuit so fluid may be withdrawn from the bottom of the pool as indicated diagrammatically at 17a, and supplied to an inlet 18a of apump 19a for discharge through the pump outlet 20a into the conduit 57 connected to the end cap member 46a of the filter apparatus 16a.

The end cap' member 58 is connectedtothe conduit 66 which in turn, is connected to a gooseneck or elbow member 67 hanging over the edge of the washer and discharging the recirculated laundry liquid into the tub 12a.

In operation, therefore, foreign matter such as lint, threads, small nails, pins and other impurities commonly removed from clothes in a laundry operation, will be entrapped by the bristles 40' and 40a of the respective filtering devices and all such foreign matter may be easily removed by selectively exposing the bristles through temporary removal of the sleeve 23 or 23a and holding 'A; l the exposed bristles beneath a water supply. By manually revolving the center rod or stem 39 or 39a, or by brushing the hand across the bristles 40 and 40a, the foreign matter is readily and conveniently removed from the filter mass supplied and provided by the bristles.

It will be understoodthat the bristles incorporated in the filter brush of the present invention may be made of synthetic plastic material such as nylon or other plastic formulations, or the bristles may comprise natural animal bristles.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon, all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A filter comprising an elongated stem having a divcrter bracket at one end thereof including a central hub portion fastened to said stem, bristles secured to-said stem and extending radially outwardly thereof to form a circumferentially continuous annular filter mass, and means forming a filter body having a circumferentially continuous wall closely confining said bristles to provide a flow passage filled by said filter mass, said bracket having a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms on said central hub portion extending radially outwardly thereof and disposed axially opposite said bristles, said bracket further including a peripheral rim fastened to said arms and engaged against said wall, said filter body having removable end caps at opposite ends thereof forming 'coaxially disposed spaced apart inlet and outlet openings for said passage, said inlet opening being disposed adjacent said bracket, whereby said bracket will diffuse liquid for filtering by said bristles, said filter body being removable to selectively expose the bristles for cleaning.

2. A filter comprising a generally cylindrical sleeve having a passage extending therethrough with an inlet at one end and an outlet at the opposite end, a diverter bracket in said inlet end of said sleeve having a'centrally disposed hub portion, a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms extending radially outwardly of said hub and across said passage on said hub portion, and an annular peripheral rim interconnecting said arms, said rim engaging against an adjoining surface of said sleeve, a filter brush having a center rod connected to said hub portion and extending axially therefrom into the interior of said sleeve, and bristles on said center rod. extending radially outwardly to substantially fill said passageand providing a filter mass between said bracket and the one let end of said sleeve in circumferentially and axially continuous contact with said sleeve, whereby fluid discharged through said inlet will be diffused by said diverter bracket and filtered by said bristles before discharge through the outletend of the sleeve.

3. A filter as defined in claim '2, said sleeve being made of translucent material to permit the user to observe the operation and condition of the filter.

' 4. A filter as defined in claim 2, and an inlet cap fastened to the inlet end 'of said sleeve comprising a ring portion surrounding said sleeve and a reduced diameter portion forming a nipple for connection .to 'a laundry conduit.

5. A filter as defined in claim 4, the outlet end of :said sleeve converging radially inwardly to form an'outlet opening of reduced size. I

6. A filter as defined in claim 4, and'an outlet cap similar in construction to said inlet cap fastened to the outlet end of said sleeve for connection to a laundry conduit. i V

7. For use in a laundry machine having a tub'means in which a pool of laundry liquid is collected including a lower outlet and an upper access opening with conduit means forming a flow path extending between said outlet and said opening, the improvement consisting of a filter comprising a generally cylindrical sleeve having a passage extending therethrough with an inlet at one end and an outlet at the opposite end, a diverter bracket in said inlet end of said sleeve having a centrally disposed hub portion, a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms extending radially outwardly of said hub portion and across said passage, and an annular peripheral rim interconnecting said arms, said rim engaging against an adjoining surface of said sleeve, a filter brush having a center rod connected to said hub portion and extending axially therefrom into the interior of said sleeve, and bristles on said center rod extending radially outwardly to substantially fill said passage and provide a filter mass between said bracket and the outlet end of said sleeve, whereby fluid discharged through said inlet will be diffused by said diverter bracket and filtered by said bristles before discharge through the outlet end of the sleeve.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said outlet end of said sleeve converges radially inwardly to form an outlet opening of reduced size on the flow axis, go

whereby the filter is adapted to form an outlet nozzle.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7, the filter having inlet and outlet caps at opposite ends of said sleeve each comprising a ring portion surrounding an adjoining portion of said sleeve and a reduced diameter porforming a nipple adapted to be connected in a conduit means.

10. The invention as defined in claim 7, said sleeve being made of translucent material to permit the user to observe the operation and condition of the filter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,106,641 Fackenthall Aug. 11, 1914 1,516,871 Stout Nov. 25, 1924 1,640,198 Lobit Aug. 23, 1927 1,798,730 Dunharn Mar. 31, 1931 2,037,568 Emmerling et a1 Apr. 14, 1936 2,184,761 Wier Dec. 26, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 300,408 Great Britain Nov. 15, 1928 

